1.Gourds must predominate 50% of the
medium or technique used on the crafted gourd surface and should represent the
category entered.

2.Gourds previously entered in a CGS
competition and judged by AGS guidelines are not permitted.

3.Craft/artwork for each entry must be the
original work of the entrant.

4.Only one entry per category is
permitted.

5.Judges reserve the right to disqualify
or reassign entries that do not meet category criteria.

6.Copyright designs such as Disney
characters or copies of other artists work may not be used on entries unless
written permission is granted by the artist or copyright holder.

7.All participants agree to allow photographs
to be taken of displayed items.

8.Not all categories may be included in
each division.

9.Category definitions may be the same for
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Masters, but will be judged according to
Division level.

Judging

The
California Gourd Society will coordinate all judging.Judging will follow the American Gourd
Society judging guidelines and use AGS trained judges.Scoring option “C” Verbal Consensus will be
used. Originality of design, quality of craftsmanship, creativity and artistry,
color and/or finish accessories, and decorative work will all be considered. A
category with only one entry does not guarantee a 1st place ribbon.

Ribbons will
be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category, plus, Judge’s Choice, Best
of Division and Best of Show at the Judges discretion. A People’s Choice ribbon
will be awarded by a vote of attendees of the Festival.

The Novice Division is for those who are relatively new to
the art form and have been working with gourds for three years or less. The
entrant should have no extensive experience or expertise in any art form that
has been used on an entry gourd, such as painting, carving, pyrography, etc. Thus,
an entrant who has won a major award in any juried art show should move into
the Intermediate Division. Participation in the Novice Division is limited to
two years. Once you win a Blue ribbon in the Novice Division you must move up
to the next Division.

N-1 PYROGRAPHY Burning a design (line or shading) on a gourd with the use of any
wood-burning tool. Any finish should still allow the pyrography to predominate.

N-2COLORING TECHNIQUESAny coloring technique is
acceptable if it is the predominate feature of the gourd.

N-3 EMBELLISHMENTS An entry in this
category should be predominately decorated using items such as beads, clay,
glass, stones, metal, inlay, pine needles, fiber, feathers, steam punk. Any
technique allowed. Use your imagination, almost anything can be an
embellishment.

N-4 SHOW US
WHAT YOU CAN DO

This category is for a gourd that you wanted to
do and does not fit in any other category. Let your imagination run free.

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION

The Intermediate Division is for those artists who
understand and use basic techniques. Entrants should not have won a major award
in a gourd show or a juried art show. They may have sold gourds but have not
taught a gourd class for a fee.Once you
win a Best of Division or Best of Show in this Division you must move up to the
next Division.

I-5PYROGRAPHY Burning a design (line or shading) on a gourd with the use of any
wood-burning tool. Any finish should still allow the pyrography to
predominate.

The Advanced Division is for artists who have progressed to
a more complicated level of work and have a good grasp of multiple techniques
and finishing skills. They are creating more distinctive, original work and are
ready to compete with a wider range of competitors. They may have taught a
gourd class for a fee.

A-11 PYROGRAPHY Burning a design (line or shading) on a gourd with the use of any
wood-burning tool. Any finish should still allow the pyrography to predominate.

A-12 CARVING /
FRETWORK / FILIGREE

The
gourd may be carved, chiseled, gouged or have cut designs that penetrates the
gourd surface. All techniques can be utilized.

A-13 COLORING
TECHNIQUES

Any coloring technique is acceptable if it is
the predominate feature of the gourd.

A-14 EMBELLISHMENTS

An entry in this category should be
predominately decorated using items such as beads, clay, glass, stones, metal,
inlay, pine needles, fiber, feathers, steam punk. Any technique allowed. Use
your imaginations, almost anything can be an embellishment.

A-15
WILDLIFE

Any technique or combination of techniques is
allowed. Gourd design must represent living elements, i.e. birds, mammals,
aquatic-fish, reptiles, insects and flora (plants).

A-16
NO LIMITS

Take the gourd any
direction your imagination guides you.No limits on styles, mediums or categories.

MASTER DIVISION

The Master Division is for the artist whose work shows
excellent use of all techniques and finishing skills. The artist should have
won “Best of Advanced Division” to move up to Master Division. The work is of
original design. Their work may have shown in galleries, won top awards in
art/gourd competitions and have reached the level of fine art.

M-17
PYROGRAPHY

Burning a
design (line or shading) on a gourd with the use of any wood-burning tool. Any
finish should still allow the pyrography to predominate.

M-18 CARVING / FRETWORK / FILIGREE

The gourd may be carved,
chiseled, gouged or have cut designs that penetrates the gourd surface. All
techniques can be utilized.

M-19 COLORING TECHNIQUES

Any coloring
technique is acceptable if it is the predominate feature of the gourd.

M-20
WILDLIFE

Any technique or
combination of techniques is allowed and will represent living elements i.e.
birds, mammals, aquatic-fish, reptiles, insects, and flora (plants).

M-21 DAZZLE US

Take
the gourd any direction your imagination guides you. No limit on styles,
mediums or technique.

SPECIAL
CATEGORY HONORING AMADOR FLOWER FARM

Open
to all division. Gourd will be judged by Flower Farm staff. The subject should
relate to the Amador Flower Farm, exhibiting flowers, the koi pond, the oak
trees, even the pumpkins. AGS rules for a perfect gourd will not apply. We are
looking to honor Amador Flower Farm.

032819

Gourd Crafting Terms and Definitions

Accessories or Embellishments Any material added to the crafted gourd to complete the exhibit.

Artificial or Man-made Accessories/Embellishments Any material added to the crafted gourd that is not natural, such as artificial flowers, plastics, plastic eyes, or manufactured items.(See also Natural Accessories).

Artificial Sinew A waxed nylon imitation of natural sinew (animal tendon) used in beading, sometimes used in place of cotton thread. (Artificial sinew will be allowed on all entries).

Base A support or stand that holds a gourd at the proper angle or position. It may be metal, wood or a manufactured turn-table but the base will not be considered an accessory of the crafted gourd.

Basket A gourd with the top cut off with a carrying handle attached or cut so that part of the gourd remains to function as a handle.

Beading The technique of using beads to apply a design to gourd. Beads may be applied with beeswax, embedded in recessed holes, strung and wrapped around, or sewn to the gourd. Beads are made of plastic, glass, and/or natural material, i.e. shell, wood, clay or seeds.

Bowl A gourd with the top cut off (or some portion cut off) to give the appearance of a container.

Burned Using a Flame (i.e., small torch) to char or change the color of the gourd surface (See also Pyrography/Wood-burning.).

Carved The removal of a portion of the outer surface of the shell of a gourd, exposing the undersurface to create a design or texture in relief, usually done with a power tool.

Chip Carving Carving done with gouging tools to “chip” out small pieces of gourd to create a pattern or design on the surface of the gourd.

Clear Finish Any furnish, such as varnish, shellac, wax or oil, which enhances the overall appearance of the gourd but adds no color (except the slight natural darkening that may occur).

Coiled Use of pine needles or grasses (or other natural materials), wrapped and held in place by thread, raffia or sinew to cover rims of bowls or create designs on gourds.

Pyrography/Wood-burning Burning a design (lines and shading) on a gourd with the use of an electric wood-burning tool.

Predominate The word “predominate” (when used in Competition Class description to indicate the amount of medium or technique to be used on the crafted gourd) means that the majority of the crafted gourd surface should exhibit the required medium or technique.

Weaving Interlacing various materials attached to the gourd, such as grasses, cords, natural fibers, etc.